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Merz: Germany unwaveringly on Israel's side

2025-08-11 10:14:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

German Chancellor Merz criticizes the Israeli government's plans to take over Gaza City. But he emphasizes that Germany's position has not changed: the Federal Republic is firmly on Israel's side.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not consider the government's decision to partially halt arms supplies to Israel to be a fundamental shift in German-Israeli relations.

"We have a disagreement - and that has to do with Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. But friendship also tolerates disagreements," the German chancellor said in an interview with public broadcaster ARD.

The Federal Republic has been steadfastly on Israel's side for 80 years, the chancellor said: "In this regard, nothing will change."

Merz fears there could be hundreds of thousands of victims

Germany will continue to support Israel in its defense, Merz stressed. But we cannot supply weapons to a conflict that is currently being resolved solely by military means. This could result in hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties and would require the evacuation of Gaza City in its entirety. "Where will these people go?" Merz asked. "We cannot do this, we will not do this, and I will not do this either." On Friday (08.08.2025), the German government announced that it would no longer supply Israel with weapons that could be used in the Gaza Strip for an indefinite period. This decision is related to Israel's plans to expand the military operation and take Gaza City. This government decision was criticized not only by the Central Council of Jews in Germany, but also by members of Chancellor Merz's Christian Democratic Party and its sister party, the Christian Social Party.

Merz said that there was a decision by the Israeli security cabinet to "further intensify" the military conflict in the Gaza Strip. "There was also a reaction to this decision to no longer supply weapons related to this conflict." This discussion about such a step, he said, has been going on for many weeks. The Chancellor emphasized that the principles of German policy towards Israel have not changed and will not change.

Netanyahu sticks to decision

The Israeli plan to take Gaza City has drawn fierce criticism internationally and even within Israel itself. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sticking to his decision. According to him, the plans approved by Israel's security cabinet on Friday night are "the best way to end the war, and the best way to end it quickly," Netanyahu told reporters on Sunday (10.08.2025).

Referring to the rule of the radical Islamist Hamas in Gaza, Netanyahu made it clear that there is no other alternative but to "finish this job." He argues this with the fact that the Palestinian group refuses to hand over its weapons. Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by a number of countries, including Germany.

The new plans for an offensive target the two remaining Hamas strongholds in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu also said "creative plans" are being considered to free hostages still being held by Hamas.

Netanyahu assured that he would not prolong the war. Israel would provide "safe corridors" for the "supply and distribution of aid" to the Palestinian territories in the Mediterranean.

Hamas on October 7, 2023 brutally attacked the area where a pop festival was taking place in southern Israel. The resulting war in the Gaza Strip has led to a humanitarian catastrophe, even as Israel continues to block aid supplies to the Palestinian territories. Hamas is holding about 50 Israeli hostages. 20 of them are believed to still be alive./ DW